Keynote Address:Current Challenges for Dental Materials Research: The Street Light Effect

Abstract Body: Introduction: Dental materials (DM) research dominates IADR Annual Meeting presentations but is highly focused on product testing rather than basic research. What are the real research challenges that need attention? Objective: Identify thematic challenges for DM research requiring attention over the next decade to accelerate its science. Methods: Recent DM research patterns in abstracts and publications were critiqued to identify shortcomings (“challenges”) demanding attention in the next decade: (1) materials topics and (2) research patterns. Challenges were estimated as low [L, easily manageable], medium [M, requiring some new resources], or high [H, requiring new science or new techniques]. Results: New research topics should include: (1a) new all-ceramic formulations [M]; (1b) next-generation composite chemistries [M]; and (1c) more advanced digital work flow and fabrication techniques [M]. Improved research patterns should include: (2a) structure-property analysis based on careful initial compositional characterization [L]; (2b) inclusion of true controls in experiments [L]; (2c) effective laboratory simulations [H]; (2d) sophisticated fractography [M]; (2e) modeling and multifactorial statistics [L]; (2f) working definitions for success for laboratory and clinical tests [H]; (2g) routine submicron analytical techniques [H]; (2h) new practical clinical research designs [H]; and (2i) true correlations of laboratory with clinical results. All challenges areas are interlinked and require coordinated efforts to address challenges. Conclusion(s): While current DM research is intense, its scientific progress is hampered by domination of existing product-tests rather than true scientific investigation of new materials and excellent research designs which could potentially accelerate the science.Support: None.